R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The untimely passing of San Antonio firefighter 1-2 Jesse F. Bricker on May 4, 1997, at the age of 47, has brought a 1-3 great loss to the family and many friends of this estimable 1-4 gentleman; and 1-5 WHEREAS, A native Texan and 25-year veteran of the San 1-6 Antonio Fire Department, Mr. Bricker died in the line of duty after 1-7 suffering severe respiratory difficulties brought on by smoke 1-8 inhalation; and 1-9 WHEREAS, Born in Sonora on September 27, 1949, this longtime 1-10 San Antonio resident graduated from Highlands High School in 1968 1-11 and four years later he joined the fire department; he was a valued 1-12 member of Fire Station 38 and was loved and respected by his fellow 1-13 firefighters, many of whom benefited from his leadership and 1-14 training; and 1-15 WHEREAS, Mr. Bricker was a nationally recognized softball 1-16 player who played on National Firefighters' Association 1-17 championship teams in 1992 and 1994, and his passion for this game 1-18 allowed him the opportunity to travel the country and befriend 1-19 fellow firefighters from across the United States; he was 1-20 well-regarded as a pitcher, but he was also a team leader and a 1-21 powerful hitter, with a lifetime average of nearly .700; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Known for his upbeat personality, this charismatic 1-23 man was always ready with a joke or a story to perk up a gathering 1-24 or lift a friend's spirits, and his reputation as a dedicated 2-1 friend was equalled only by his status as a devoted civil servant; 2-2 and 2-3 WHEREAS, Jesse F. Bricker was a man of compassion and 2-4 decency, whose time with us was tragically cut short, and although 2-5 his guidance and good nature will be missed by all who knew him, 2-6 his spirit will surely live on in the hearts and minds of the many 2-7 people whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it 2-8 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-9 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Jesse F. Bricker and 2-10 extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his wife, 2-11 Jeannie Bricker; to his daughter, Jessica Bricker; to his mother, 2-12 Kathryn E. Bricker; to his sister and brother-in-law, Angie and 2-13 Glen Marshall; to his brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Debbie 2-14 Bricker; to his wife's parents, Clarence and Grace Siefert; to his 2-15 sisters-in-law, Melissa Siefert and Gay Menefee, and her husband, 2-16 John; to his brother-in-law, Wade Siefert, and his wife, Karen; to 2-17 his nieces and nephews, Jody, Deandra, Jayme, Jenna, Matt, Justin, 2-18 Travis, B. J., Jamison, and Jared; and to the many other relatives 2-19 and friends of this beloved gentleman; and, be it further 2-20 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-21 prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas 2-22 House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of 2-23 Jesse F. Bricker. Van de Putte McClendon Puente Hernandez Alvarado Corte _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 895 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 23, 1997. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House